Obituary of Ellis Boyd

Rev. Ellis Fletcher Boyd 88, Clearland, Lunenburg Co., passed away on Thursday, April 1, 2004, in Harbour View Haven Nursing Home, Lunenburg. A native of Bellisle Creek, N.B., he was the son of the late Thomas and Jane (Simpson) Boyd. After attending local schools, he came to Nova Scotia to work in a family business, in Portaupique, which he later inherited. Always active in the affairs of the church, he eventually sold the business and was received as a candidate for the ministry of the United Church of Canada. He entered Mount Allison University, where in the course of his studies he won the prize for highest standing in New Testament Greek. He went on to Pine Hill Divinity School in Halifax, where he graduated in 1956 and was ordained by the Maritime Conference. In addition to 3 years as a student minister for Little Shemoque Pastoral Charge in New Brunswick, he served four pastoral charges in Nova Scotia; Wesley – St. Matthew, Pugwash; United Protestant Church, Sydney River; St. David’s, Bible Hill and Trinity United, Mahone Bay. He retired in 1984 but continued at Trinity United in Mahone Bay and Blue Rocks as interim minister for another year. Following retirement he also served a year as interim minister at Central United, Lunenburg and periodically did supply and visitation for St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Lunenburg and Bridgewater United Church. In the work of the church beyond the pastoral charge, he was secretary of four Presbyteries and Chairman of two. He was a commissioner to General Council. During the 1950’s in association with Rev. Robert Mills, he preached evangelistic missions in different areas of the Maritimes, because of his business experience, most of his service in the Maritime Conference was in the field of finance, having served on the finance committee as chairman and secretary and serving four terms as treasurer of the conference. He also served ten years as secretary – treasurer of the Hunter Church Building Fund. He also did chaplaincy service at the Cumberland Home, Cape Breton Hospital and Nova Scotia Training School. In community affairs, he was past president of Cumberland Home and Home and School Council in Pugwash. Past President of Bairncroft Orphanage Corporation, former Board member of Cape Breton Children’s Aid Society, former padre of the East Bay Branch of the Canadian Legion and past president of the Lunenburg County Arthritis Society. A veteran member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, he was past grand master of the Grand Lodge of the Atlantic Provinces; past grand representative of the Sovereign Grand Lodge and served five terms as Grand Chaplain. He is predeceased by his parents; brothers Everett, Alexander and Harris and an infant daughter. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Edna Sutherland Boyd; his brother Charles, Bellisle Creek, N.B. His children, daughter, Marilyn (Paul) Nickerson, Barrington Passage; son, Thomas (Diane) Boyd, Barrington; daughter, Sandra (David) Carruthers, Halifax; daughter, Wendy (Peter) Fraser, Bridgewater. Grandchildren, Michael, David, Kathy, Kim, Sara, James, Simon, Stephanie, Samantha. Great grandchildren, Benjamen, Ethan, Connor, Ariana and Jonathon; several nieces and nephews. A memorial service of Celebration will be 2 p.m., Monday, April 5 at Bridgewater United Church, Bridgewater. Rev. Ivan Norton officiating. Reception will follow in the CE Center. No flowers by request, memorial gifts may be made to Bridgewater United Church or charity of choice. Interment will follow at a later date. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater, where online condolences may be made at www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.